Why Dolma Is So Much More Than Just Food in Turkish Culture | Ep 4 Dina’s Coming Home

Dina’s Coming Home | Ep 4: The Secret Behind Turkish Dolma with Ecrin Caglayan

In this fourth episode of my 2025 series, Dina’s Coming Home, I explore the fascinating journeys of people from diverse backgrounds living in the UK. We dive into their heritage, how they’ve navigated cultural integration, and how food became a comforting bridge to their identity. 🍽️✨

Today, I’m joined by Ecrin Caglayan—a Turkish-born woman raised in the Netherlands and now living in London with her husband and son. Ecrin gained national attention on MasterChef UK in 2024, where she celebrated her Turkish roots through every dish she presented. Now, she’s bringing her comforting recipes to Instagram, blending flavors from her Turkish heritage and Dutch upbringing.

In today’s episode, we uncover the secrets to her mum’s iconic dolma and what it was like to grow up Turkish in a Dutch world. Ecrin’s story is a beautiful blend of culture, family, and food that has shaped her culinary career.

🌟 Watch until the end for a step-by-step guide to the dolma recipe!
👉 Recipe link: dinewithdina.co.uk

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